From managing construction projects in a war zone to starting his own VIP aviation catering company, Stephen Collie has one heck of a career story to tell.

Stephen joined the McKenzie & Co. team in November 2019 as Development & Project Manager, tasked with delivering the Auranga subdivision project through to completion. And it’s a challenge he’s more than happy to accept.

Stephen and his wife, Kerry Quin

“I’m keen to get stuck in at a strategic, higher level,” says Stephen of the Auranga project.

“Auranga is a large-scale challenging project, which was one of the main draw-cards for working with McKenzie & Co.

The calibre of land development projects they’re involved in is up there with the biggest and best in the country. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

Having worked all over the world in countries such as the UK, Tanzania, Dubai, Afghanistan and of course New Zealand, Stephen has significantly built on his early years as an architectural draughtsman.

With a Bachelor of Commerce, NZ Certificate in Architectural Drafting and an NZ Certificate in Small Business Management, Stephen has honed his education and on the job skills to specialise in the project and development management fields.

So, what is it about development projects that ticks Stephen’s boxes? Easy, he’s a born problem solver and someone who likes to keep his plate full.

“Constantly juggling tasks was the norm [in Afghanistan]. In a very rapidly changing environment with few resources readily available, thinking on your feet was paramount and being able to look far enough down the road to identify issues before they come up.”

And if large-scale development projects weren’t enough to keep Stephen busy, he can add “successful business owner” to his CV as well.

“Setting up a VIP aviation catering business in Dubai with my wife was both the most personally satisfying achievement, and one of the most challenging stages of our lives. 

Identifying an opportunity and developing a new business from nothing gave me a great sense of self belief that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

Oh, and did we mention he’s also a family man, with a passion for a two-wheeled/two-edged adrenalin rush that comes with motorbiking, mountain biking and snowboarding.

It’s a privilege to have you on board Stephen, welcome to the McKenzie & Co. team.

Stephen enjoying his love of two wheels in Egypt.

STEPHEN’S FAST FIVE:

1.       Favourite food and drink?
BBQ and Beers

2.       What are you binging on Netflix?
Documentaries

3.       Who would you invite to dinner, dead or alive?     
Barack Obama

4.       Favourite holiday destination?
Desert or mountains somewhere around the world

5.       Top of my Spotify playlist?                                             
What’s Spotify?